Chapter 17

17

I wasn’t nervous.

I wasn’t a wreck.

Nope.

None of Grandmother’s “fucking fake it”advice was helping. The confidence boost from Spyne was long gone. Frond’s group now occupied two tables. Wild and I were on an unofficial trial. I could feel the coven’s dissent like the minuscule injections of three hundred mosquito bites. The one positive was that the supernaturals’ visit had taken second stage to me being the Mistress of Dark Magic.

The only positive.

Wild was all calmness beside me, and I’d clung to that for the last twenty minutes, unable to touch my food. I hardly everlost my appetite. My mother would have been frantic.

“It’s time,” Wild told me, taking a sip of water after.

My heartbeat took off triple time, and sensing my panic, he gripped my hand tightly under the table. His earlier words before we’d braved the eating chamber returned to me. We’ve done nothing wrong. This is something for celebration by maguskind.

Except he wasn’t half demon. He wasn’t the newcomer to the coven turned leader turned dark magic user. In the story the coven had carved, Wild was the victim.

He sent me pulse after pulse of courage, and eventually his effort helped to center me. I had to hold it together and not give Frond more ammunition. I wasn’t guilty.

Maybe I’d keep telling myself that and believe it one day.

I inhaled. “You got it, handsome.”

Wild didn’t need to be distracted during what was ahead. I’d keep my shit together for him and us.

He walked to the stage. Attention snagged on him and was dragged to the stage by my magus. The coven quietened of their own accord, and by the time Wild faced them, I could feel the expectation in the air.

They knew what was coming.

I felt relief to be sitting here, in all honesty, though I was sure magus would check my reaction throughout Wild’s speech.

He spoke, “I’ve become aware of a series of rumors circulating the coven. Dangerous rumors of potentially vicious origin. I will address them now, so they don’t inflict damage on this coven, myself, or on our high esteemed, who has worked tirelessly to ensure our survival, only to receive this treatment in thanks.”

More than a few heads dropped at that. Mostly on the part of past-Vero members. I hadn’t considered the rumors in that light—that I’d been working so hard for them only to have this happen. I’d seen it more in the light that my secrets were bound to get out.

Wild let his admonishing words sink in. “With that said, I can see that some of you have connected information in the only way that makes sense to you. You all witnessed my behavior in the presence of the Vissimo prince and Luther pack leader?—”

A loud whining erupted in the caves, and I—along with every battle affinity—was on my feet in an instant.

“The alarms at the gates,” I blurted, then boomed over the panicked cries, “Delta, Sage, Wild, to me.”

The magus were at my side in seconds and followed me as I strode to the exit. “What’s the response plan?”

Wild replied, “We have teams of all four affinities formed from the strongest of us. They are to gather at the demon gates when the alarms sound.”

“Give the order,” I told him. He peeled away. “Delta, gather the remaining battles for extra support at the gates. Sage, do you have strategies ready for us?”

“The sentries have been training with some already,” she answered, and her eyes were wide. “Any others are still being developed.”

“Thank you. Please find Varden and instruct him to move the vulnerable to our safe zone. Then gather any magus who remain to stand ready to fight at the exit to our cave. I’ll meet you there.”

I broke into a run, diving into the portal I’d opened. I only paused to release my magic down my arms, ready for use, before kicking open the door to my quarters.

Fuck.

The demon gate was wide open. I listened intently for any sound from the demon realm, any footsteps. Nothing yet. They may have chosen to come through another, though. They could be standing in the darkness, too, waiting for me to depart.

I wove a four-affinity barrier over the demon gate and set an extra alarm that only I would feel.

I portaled to the cave exit in the middle of gathering sentries and extra battle magus disappearing into portals of their own. I sent a pulse to Wild as he made to step into a portal with Huxley, Corentin, and Sven.

He paused, and I jogged over. “The demon gate in our room is open,” I said quickly. “Nothing through it yet. Spread the word that there could be demons waiting to ambush at other gates.”

Wild jerked his head, gripping one of his pendants and muttering into it. He fixed me with a burning look after. “Be careful, my love.”

Sentries were gone to their respective gates, and novices and weaker provens were exiting the caves to set up a defensive ring in varying states of fear.

Sage hurried over. “Varden has the others in the safe zone.”

“Thank you, Sage. One of the demon gates is open. I’ve placed a barrier over it. Sentries and battle magus have gone to guard it. I’m going to check the other gates now.”

She held up a pendant around her neck. “Wild just gave us an update.”

“Good. He’ll let you know if anything is amiss.”

Why didn’t I have a sentry pendant? That’s what I wanted to know.

Keeping my magic at the ready, I portaled to the next closest demon door. The magus there shied back in alarm at my sudden appearance, but most were warily regarding the open demon gate. One that they could all see. In the past, even when the gate was open, my friends weren’t able to see it—only the demons once they were in our realm.

“No activity?” I asked.

Ruby answered from the front. “No, High Esteemed. Only the movement alarm was set off, no charms or defenses. I believe the opening of the gate triggered it.”

I wove a four-affinity barrier over the gate. “Stay here until we know more.”

“Yes, High Esteemed.”

I portaled to the next gate, finding Winona and Delta there. “No demons here either?”

“Not that we can tell,” Delta answered, then shook her head. “That’s one hell of a gate.”

The entrances to the demon realm inspired what they were meant to—a fearful respect of what may walk out, and a fearful respect of walking through. The obsidian door sat in the middle of a ravine, closer to the coven than it used to be. The heavy entrance with the carved demon holding crossed verdun blades was swung wide open. Two enormous horns curved above the gaping entrance. “It can look however it likes as long as nothing comes out,” I replied to Delta, then gave them the same orders.

Weaving my barrier over the entrance, I then portaled to the next gate, and then the next, finding the same verdict at each.

Finally, I portaled to the farthest and fifth gate.

Wild walked to join me. “The other gates are open too.”

“They are. All covered with a four-affinity barrier now. No signs of other demon activity.”

The fifth was no different.

The demon king had opened all the demon gates. “Why?”

Wild glanced over his shoulder. “That’s the question of the hour. Is it to inspire fear? That would help to fuel their power.”

And he’d achieve it with the simple act. The thought of sleeping tonight would be far-fetched for any of the magus here. The demon gate in my room could have opened at any time, but the visual of having it open was different somehow. “Or he wants to send something out once we let our guard down.”

“Magic or his people?”

Exactly. We had little knowledge of how a demon’s magic worked. The demon I’d fought had based her magic in blood—which I would consider dark magic. Was that usual though or just the most potent form of their power?

They could have any number of weapons at their disposal that we were ignorant to. “Set new alarms,” I told Wild. “And further up and down the ravines, too, in case they can get around one alarm. Put a silence barrier over the gates as well. I don’t know if they can hear through these things. Actually, let’s place barriers to cover all the senses. One that prevents them sensing our magic too.”

“I’d like to double sentry numbers.”

“I agree,” I replied. “I’ll instruct Delta to begin demon training with the coven tomorrow. We’ll hold a meeting with the advisors now.”

“I’ll remain here. We should keep a force at each demon gate until we’re sure nothing is coming through in the immediate future.”

Agreed. “I’ll give you an update when I can.” About to call Huxley to join me, I paused. “Why don’t I have a sentry pendant?”

Wild grimaced.

My eyes narrowed. “Spill.”

He lowered his head to mine. “Because you already have a coven pendant around your neck.”

The one that allowed me to call the advisors. “And?”

“I don’t want mine to be outnumbered.”

I absorbed his words. He referred to the ruby foundation pendant he’d given me. He… “You don’t want yours outnumbered… like having more coven pendants than Wild pendants means you’re less important?”

Wild clenched his jaw.

I kept my words slow. “I need to communicate with you and those at the gates.” I refrained from telling him he shouldn’t have purposefully kept me away from the sentry pendant. That wasn’t his choice to make. Others could be listening in, though. Even if they seemed pretty focused on the gaping demon gate.

“If you wear another one of mine, then I’d feel better about it,” he eventually relented.

I gripped either side of his face. “If it makes you happy, then I accept.”

Wild selected another of his foundation pendants with care and placed it over my neck. A purr rumbled in his chest after, and I coughed to cover the sound.

“I like the way that looks on you,” he said, heat radiating in his dark eyes. “I’ll get a sentry pendant to you tomorrow morning.”

I arched a brow. “Thanks.”

I wasn’t sure he picked up on the sarcasm there.

Wild turned to convey orders to his team, and I grabbed Huxley, then portaled back to the cave entrance. Several of the novices startled at our arrival.

“You heard Wild’s report?” I asked Sage and Opal.

They nodded.

“I’m calling a meeting for advisors. Wild will remain at the gates with the sentries for now.” I clasped the advisor pendant and trickled magic into it. Delta, Winona, and Varden would feel it. I raised my voice for the benefit of the surrounding magus. “Please be ready to respond and return to this location if further alarms are raised. For now, you may return to the caves. Thank you for your fast reaction to the alarm tonight. I’ll update you once we’ve collected all information.”

I didn’t wait for their response, instead portaling to the safe zone.

“Varden, it’s me,” I called through the door. “All is well for now.”

The barriers on the door dropped, and the esteemed swung the entrance wide. I caught sight of the pale and frightened faces inside. High above us was a pinprick of light where Varden had formed an escape hatch to exit up onto the knolls. I sincerely hoped we never had to use it. If we did, it would be with the knowledge that our home now belonged to demons.

I strode inside. “All five demon gates are open,” I informed those within. “Nothing has come through, and our sentries will remain in force at the gates to ensure we are not without defenses and advanced warning if that changes. Please return to your quarters or evening activities. If you hear another alarm—or an alarm at any point in the future—then reconvene here without delay. The advisors will meet now, and an update will be provided in the morning. Rest may not come easy for you tonight, but be assured that we are taking every measure to ensure your protection.”

Varden joined me, and we walked toward the advisory chamber.

“What purpose can be achieved by opening the demon doors?” he asked, almost as if to himself.

“That’s what we need to figure out,” I said.

The others were in similar discussion when we joined them not long after.

I took my authority. “We can be proud of our response tonight. That was the first test since the demon battle, and we rose to the occasion. It served as a reminder of the real danger facing us.”

We couldn’t grow complacent. And was I relieved the demon gates interrupted Wild telling everyone about our mating ritual? Absolutely.

“Delta,” I said. “This seems a good time to begin demon training for our battle magus. Winona, I’d like you to form a new team and leave your current tasks to Barrow and Opal to continue. You will collaborate with Sage chiefly, and also the mentors of each learning center, Delta being one of them.” Ty, Serene, and a shriveled, old grimoire named Chistyr made up the other three. “Battles alone will not win this fight, and all affinities must develop and train in strategies that may benefit us against the demons. Once all affinities have some individual skills to enlist, we will unite the affinities to see what strategies we can create together.”

Winona replied, “I will see it done, High Esteemed.”

“Wild is doubling sentry duties while the gates remain open. His sentries are setting additional alarms in the ravines. A larger force will remain at all gates overnight. Our task is to make sense of what happened.” I scanned their pinched faces. “Any ideas?”

Varden’s voice held a hypnotic quality. Magus often gained it when deep in their main affinity. “The demon king’s choice must further his desire to expand his territory. Opening the gates is an attack in some way, shape, or form.”

Huxley nodded. “Is it to set us on edge? That negative energy will make them stronger.”

We’d been generating enough negativity without the tactic. If anything, the demon king opening the gates may have realigned the coven once more.

“Is something going in, or is something going out?” Opal posed the question.

Or is something going in more? “Do you suppose that the gates muted how much the demons could feed on us? Maybe the flow of our negative energy will increase?”

Varden’s gaze snapped to me. “Now that we’re aware of their presence, there’s no reason to remain hidden. The demon king might as well gain as much from us as possible—speed up the process to limit the time we have to defend ourselves.”

Ah, fuck. That made too much sense not to be a possibility.

“There’s also the matter of what comes out of the demon gates,” he said.

Barrow replied, “You believe something comes out other than demons?”

“Do you recall the wounds on Caradoc’s body?” Varden tugged at the sleeve of his thick robes. “The ulcers?”

Barrow shuddered along with Opal. “Yes. They weren’t on Fyre’s body.”

“No,” Varden said. “Fyre didn’t spend much time guarding the demon gate. I did, however.” The esteemed drew up one sleeve.

For a time after meeting him, I’d marveled that Varden could stand to wear such thick robes in summer. Then I’d seen the ulcers covering his body.

Winona gasped, and Ruby covered her mouth at the sight.

“Sir,” she exclaimed. “Your skin.”

“They appeared after eighteen months guarding the demon gate,” he said. “They have worsened from there. I am certain that a type of decaying magic from the demon realm is able to pass through the gates, in answer to your question, Barrow.”

I’d known it, too, but I hadn’t worried overly much because Varden had been very close to the gate for a long time.

Except now the gates were open.

“The damage,” Winona said to him, “is it fading now you’re farther from the gate?”

Varden paused, then shook his head. “It’s not unreasonable to guess that the wounds will take as long to heal as they took to inflict. I’m not worried about my wounds.”

“I would like Serene to access them,” Winona pressed. “The coven may need such information.”

She’d artfully backed him into a corner.

“I would be grateful for her expertise,” he stated, his eyes twinkling at her skilled maneuver.

“The question then is what’s the new rate thatthey’re feasting on us,” Huxley said, “and how quickly will we now be hurt by this ulcerating, decaying magic of theirs?”

Delta added, “And will they send an army through without warning?”

Eventually an army would come through. That seemed to be a given. I had a feeling the demon king wanted to weaken us first.

Ruby spoke, “Perhaps this provides an opportunity to learn about their power. Our magus can practice forming four-affinity barriers over the gates, and perhaps there are ways we can collect and analyze the demon magic coming through.”

There was logic in what she said. If this benefited the demon king, it had to benefit us in some way. “The apothecaries are best to handle that,” I said vaguely, then blinked. “Rooke.”

Huxley caught on straightaway, blurting, “She has an affinity for harmful substances. She may detect something around the gates that we haven’t.”

“Worth a shot.” I sent a pulse through my bond with her. We didn’t call each other often, but she’d know what it meant and could feel where I was.

We hadn’t gotten much further in ways to investigate the demon’s magic at the gates when she arrived, out of breath.

“High Esteemed,” she panted. “What’s up?”

“We’ve had a thought,” I told her, knowing she’d probably hate this. “I need you to visit each of the gates with Delta. We suspect the gates have been opened so the demons can better feast on us, and so the effects of their magic will work faster on us too. You’re aware of the damage to Varden.”

Rooke glanced at him. “You think it’s poison?”

“Poison, or poisonous to magus—and maybe other supernaturals outside the demon realm.”

She didn’t appear very confident. “I’ll see what I can pick up, of course. May I?” she asked Varden, lifting a hand.

He dipped his head and lifted his sleeve once more.

Rooke approached him and hovered her fingers over the largest ulcer there. I felt the hum of her magic, and then she was hissing, jerking her fingers back. “Oh yeah, that’s a nasty one.” She glanced at me. “I won’t miss that if it’s coming out of the gates.”

Delta rose and extended an arm to Rooke, who couldn’t portal.

“We’ll reconvene in the morning to hear your findings,” I told them. “We all need rest while we can.”

Huxley replied, “Until we know what damage is coming through those gates, you shouldn’t return to your quarters.”

I was half demon, but I had to operate as if I were simply a magus. Wild really was a full-blooded magus. He might get hurt despite his bond with me. “Good point. I’ll shift to a guest quarter for the time being. Let’s move any other magus close to the internal gate away too. In the morning. I don’t wish to rob anyone of sleep if they’ve managed to find it.”

“I hope you manage to find it.” Winona touched my shoulder on the way out.

I summoned a smile. “And you, Winona. Thank you all for your aid tonight.”

The response of the coven had restored hope that all might be well.

Delta and Rooke were gone by the time I’d taken my next breath, and all the advisors barring Huxley were gone in the one after that.

“Was it the Mother’s intervention?” he asked wryly.

I cocked a brow, thinking of the timely interruption to Wild’s speech about our mating ritual. “Felt like it at the time. I’d been convincing myself that I just had to surrender to her design for me.”

“You sound like Positive Patrick.”

“Maybe he’s onto something. I can’t decide.”

“Linen does look comfortable.” Huxley stood. “Hey, thanks for telling Spyne something personal. It’s difficult to keep things from him.”

I joined him by the door. “I don’t want to cause problems in your relationship. I realize that I come with a lot of…”

“Junk in the trunk.”

I stared.

“You have a lot of problems attached to you,” he clarified at my look.

“Wow, that means something else in human.”

“What?”

“I’m not telling. You’ll use it against me.”

Huxley smirked. “I’ll find out.”

“I come with problems attached, yes, and I hope we can fill in Spyne completely one day. I’d hate for you guys to suffer for all the secrecy.”

“I look forward to that day, but you’re not that important.”

Huxley walked out.

“He really is an asshole,” I told the empty room.

I followed him at a slower pace.

The soft voices of small groups of magus trickled through open doorways as I ambled through the caves. People were too wired to sleep, and I couldn’t blame them. I wanted to return to the gates, as if that could help matters.

What I needed was to be ready for tomorrow.

I opened the door to a guest chamber, and humor found me. This was the room I’d first stayed in when I arrived at the coven.

Full circle. Or did that mean I’d gone backward?

I summoned my purification kit and entered the bathroom to turn on the bath taps. I needed sleep. I also didn’t want to toss and turn for the next five hours. If stronger demon magic was drifting through the caves, then we’d all need to counter it with extra measures like this.

If stronger demon magic was drifting through the caves… then it didn’t matter that the demon king might be accelerating his plans.

We had to as well.